Page 20

Page 1

After Judgment

In November one week is

designated as Prison’s Week.

This year it’s from 17th till 23rd November − and for those who

manage to stay out of prison it may seem irrelevant. However, as

Christians, prisoners should be our concern and St Paul reminds

us in his letter to the Hebrews that we need to remember them

(Hebrews 13.3). Criminal justice involves a whole stack of issues

we need to look at if we want to take the Gospel seriously.

Have we ever wondered how criminals came to act in this way? It

can be due to unfortunate circumstances, like being influenced by

the wrong kind of friends; it can be that they were bullied at

school when they were younger, or neglected at home; it can be

weakness, as in the case of drug addiction − just to name a few

examples.

As a society we seem to have no other alternative than putting

offenders into prison. But what do we really want to happen? Do

we want revenge or do we want to cure the problem? Do we want

to put them away in order to make our environment a little safer?

If we feel for prisoners, are we then “soft”? I don’t think so, but

rather that we want to do the will of the Father. Besides, I believe

that more problems are cured with gentleness than with

harshness. During Prison’s Week we also want to think about the

victims of crime, because they often feel ignored by the criminal

justice system. And what about the families of prisoners? They

may not even have known what the criminal was doing and yet

still get the blame and the shame. What about prisoners

sentenced without being guilty?

As members of a society, we are responsible for the why and the

how of crime, and we need to allow ourselves to think about it

and not simply say: “Oh well, they get what they deserve” −

because we are asked to do more!

Alja Tollefsen

Chaplain of the East Netherlands

The Chaplain Writes

Page 2

Harvest Festival

Our thanks go to all who supported

the Flower Guild on 6th October by

buying the produce after the Harvest

Festival − with special thanks to

Brenda, Pauline and Jeanet for their

work in decorating the chapel in

readiness for the service. The profit

made for the Flower Guild was the

substantial amount of €126,40, ensuring that their

work will safely continue.

Reminder

Remember, remember … no, not the 5th of November,

gunpowder, treason and plot, but the Shoebox Action.

Information flyers are available in the Hut for those

who would like to take part in this initiative and the

shoeboxes can be handed in until the end of

November. (For further details of the shoebox action:

www.actie4kids.org)

Key Dates

10th November Remembrance Sunday*

15th December Carol Service

* As in recent years, the collection on Remembrance Sunday is to go to the Royal British Legion.

Christmas Fair

The Middachten Castle Fair in De

Steeg, which offers the opportunity

for the main fund-raising activity of

our sister chaplaincy Arnhem-

Nijmegen, will open on 10th

December and run to 15th

December.

Twente News

Deep Meaning

One day a man who

was writing a book

that explored old

myths and customs

of ancient tribes got

into deep

conversation with an

elderly American

Indian. He listened

engrossed as the old

Indian recounted the

wanderings of his

tribe and his own

family history.

“What was your

wife’s name?”

enquired the writer.

“The Indian replied,

“She was called

Five Horses.

“Eager to know

more, the writer

said, “That’s an

unusual name for a

wife. What does it

mean?”

“It’s an old Indian

name,” came the

reply. “It means …

Page 19

My wants are no different from others who share,

The warmth of a fire, cool rain or fresh air, My earth has all these, and much more in

her store, Though great is their measure, we can still

overdraw, My time now is shortening, there’s much to

be done, To secure any future for our daughters and

sons.

My wish when my time comes from life to alight,

Is to see that our victory is clearly in sight, My knowing our efforts have not been in

vain, The balance of nature being level again,

My cry for our triumph, and from grace not to fall,

Shall be heard by those favoured, who inherit my all.

Copyright – Malcolm McBride, 2013

Page 18

MY ALL

My hymns are the sounds of great waves on the shore,

That rise to crescendos, and shake the soul’s core, My prayers are like voices, of wind in the trees, Which carries my thoughts far and wide on the

breeze, My praise of earth’s beauty is loud as the storm,

When I make with the world my communion each morn.

My friends are the creatures that share this good

earth, Whose trust and whole being is stored in its

worth, My love is the nature of things all around,

The lustre of sunlight and pureness of sound, My vigil is constant to help stay the hand, Of anything evil that threatens the land.

My shame is in seeing where I should have been,

Or letting the sun to go down on a sin, My hope dwells in dreams of winning once more,

The battles to save, and the cause to restore, My hate is in losing where destruction has won, Where something of beauty is lost, or has gone.

Page 3

Autumn Course

This year there will be an autumn

course held on Saturday mornings

at 10:30 in the Hut and it will last

about one hour. Coffee/tea and

biscuits will be provided.

The theme of the course is about

how we keep our spiritual batteries

charged and will explore four areas of the

Christian faith that are important to keep us

going as Christians. There will be something for

everybody, whether you are new to Christianity

or whether you have been coming to church for

many years.

There will be four sessions:

● The Power of Faith (16 November)

● The Power of the Holy Spirit (23 November)

● The Power of Prayer (30 November)

● The Power of being Church Together

(7 December)

The course will be prepared and led by Simone

Yallop as part of her application process to train

as a Lay Reader.

John Bestman, who has much experience in

working with groups in the Baptist Church, will

assist in the discussions during the course.

Nag, Nag, Nag, Nag,

Nag!”

You know you’re

getting old when you

wake up with that

morning-after

feeling, and you

didn’t do anything

the night before.

Job Interview

Interviewer: What

would you consider

to be your greatest

weakness?

Applicant: Honesty.

Interviewer:

Honesty? I don’t

think honesty is a

weakness.

Applicant: I couldn’t

care less what you

think.

Sometimes the

easiest way to get

your husband to do

some chore or other

is to simply suggest

that he’s too old to

do it anymore.

Intercessions

If you wish to have someone included in the

intercession, please contact the Chaplain or one

of the Churchwardens before the Service.

If you know of anyone who is sick or in need of

pastoral care, please contact the Chaplain or one

of the Churchwardens.

Page 4

Terms and Conditions

You would like a new car or maybe a house

A loan makes it easy to buy.

You find your bank manager mean as a mouse

His terms and conditions apply.

They can do this, you can’t have that.

They never will tell you why.

It’s something they always keep under their hat

Just terms and conditions apply.

I read in the papers that you really should

Learn like the birds how to fly.

And do it all here, you probably could,

But terms and conditions apply.

But Santa Claus does it with reindeer and sleigh

To land on the rooftops up high

To bring gifts for the kiddies who are good and who

pray.

Those terms and conditions apply.

So when at last you reach that good age

And seek rest in peace in the sky

You fervently hope on that heavenly stage,

NO terms or conditions apply.

By Denis Leonard (Dublin)

Friend of Cathie and Frits Warmink

Dialogue

Keep this in mind

the next time you

are about to repeat a

rumour or spread

gossip.

In ancient Greece

(469-399 BC),

Socrates was widely

lauded for his

wisdom. One day an

acquaintance ran up

to him excitedly and

said, “Socrates, do

you know what I’ve

just heard about

Diogenes?”

“Wait a moment,”

Socrates replied,

“Before you tell me

I’d like you to pass

a little test. It’s

called the Triple

Filter Test.”

“Triple filter?”

asked the

acquaintance.

“That’s right,”

Socrates continued,

“Before you talk to

me about Diogenes

let’s take a moment

to filter what you’re

going to say. The

first filter is Truth.

Have you made

Page 17

Endnotes 1 A detailed description of the process for the appointment

is available digitally and I will only be too happy to send it to those who are interested.

2 Tutor, Bristol Baptist College (1977-1990), Coordinating

Secretary for International Affairs of the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland (1990-1997), General Secretary of the Conference of European Churches (1997-

2005)

3 Three recommended books on the subject: Europe − The

Exceptional Case: Parameters of Faith in the Modern World by Grace Davie; God's Continent: Christianity, Islam, and Europe's Religious Crisis by Philip Jenkins; Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church Is

Transforming the Faith by Diana Butler Bass

4 Diocesan Strategic Review Group report, 2009, 3.3.1

5 The Revd Canon Mark Collinson, Area Dean and Chaplain

in Amsterdam, the Revd Canon Dr Robert Innes from Holy Trinity Pro-Cathedral in Brussels, the Revd Canon Jack MacDonald with a parish in Leuven and teaching at Leuven University, and the Revd Sam Van Leer from Groningen and Utrecht, who does not need any introduction to our

readers! Complete text available on request.

She watched that

old stile through

her tears,

Through long

days of rain and

of sun,

She watched it for

sixty more years

And never lost

hope that he’d

come.

By Nigel Beeton

Joy seems to me

a step beyond

happiness −

happiness is a sort

of atmosphere

you can live in

sometimes, when

you’re lucky. Joy

is a light that fills

you with hope

and faith and

love. − Adela Rogers St.

Johns

We do not want,

as the newspapers

say, a church that

will move with

the world. We

want a church that

will move the

world. − G.K. Chesterton

BAYEUX is home to the famous tapestry depicting

the invasion of England by William the Conqueror

and his victory at the Battle of Hastings. At the

British War Cemetery in the town there is a

Memorial that pays tribute to all those who lost

their lives in the Normandy landings, between

D-Day and the end of Operation Overlord on 25th

August 1944. The inscription reads:

“Nos A Gulielmo Victi Victoris Patriam Liberavimus”

“We, once conquered by Wiliam, have now set free the Conqueror’s native land”

Page 16

need is felt to have translations of the principal

services, to make the liturgy more accessible to

native Dutch speakers. Jack McDonald told us more

about the two theological university courses started

in Leuven and Brussels, and Miriam Adan, member of

the Translation sub-group, reported on the progress

of the translation of the Funeral Service, Baptism

Service, Marriage Service and Holy Communion

Prayer B.

As a test we used parts of these translations in the

services during Synod. Quite an unusual experience

to hear our Chaplain Alja speak Dutch in a service!

Simone and myself each have a copy of these

translations and anybody who is interested is invited

to borrow them from us. It is by no means a definite

version. Comments are welcomed.

On Friday afternoon we were divided into groups for

an excursion into the city of Ghent. We visited the

ruins of Sint Bataaf’s Abdij on the original site where

Ghent was founded, and then after a pleasant walk

through the beautiful medieval centre of Ghent we

saw the famous painting by Jan Van Eyck, The

Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, in St Bataaf’s

Cathedral. The presentation at the end of the

afternoon, with concluding reflections on all sessions,

was missed by our group due to heavy traffic in the

centre − so alas we cannot report on this!

Bishop Geoffrey arrived just before the Synod Dinner

and was to attend Synod to the end. Dinner in the

Old Abbey on Friday evening was, as usual, a great

occasion for fellowship and sharing the Christian

spirit. And there was also a great deal of laughter!

We felt blessed when we went home on Saturday

morning. Simone remained, having been asked by

the Archdeacon to take minutes at the business

meeting that day.

Joyce Wigboldus

The Stile

He turned, with his

foot on the stile,

And gave a last nod of

his head,

Blew a kiss, and gave

her a smile –

“I’ll be back home for

Christmas,” he said.

She waved back to

him with great pride,

As he went off to fight

in the war,

No sense of

foreboding inside

He’d soon be back

home, she was sure.

From time to time o’er

that stile,

Came the post, with

mail from abroad.

Though apart by many

a mile,

There was love in

every word.

The letters then

suddenly ceased

A telegram came in

their stead,

She read it, and said,

“Well at least,

He’s only gone

missing, not dead.”

Page 5

Halloween

The origin of Halloween dates

back to the ancient Celtic

festival of Samhain. November

1st is the date the Celts

celebrated their New Year. It

marked the end of summer and

the beginning of the dark winter.

The Celts saw the dark as a sign

of strength not something to be afraid of. The Celts

believed that on the night before New Year the

boundary between the living and the dead became

blurred.

On the night of 31st October they celebrated

Samhain, when they believed that the ghosts of the

dead returned to earth. To commemorate this event

they built large, sacred bonfires where people

gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices.

They made costumes from animal skins to dress up

in. When the bonfires had died down, they took hot

embers from the sacred bonfires to re-light their own

hearth fires to protect their homes for the coming

winter. They communicated with the spiritual world to

learn how to get through the long dark winter.

By the 9th century Christianity had spread into Celtic

lands, where it was gradually blended with and

removed the old Celtic rites. In 1000 AD the church

made 2nd November All Souls Day to honour the

dead. All Souls Day then was celebrated again with

bonfires, parades and dressing up like animals, saints

and angels. All Saints Day was also called All-Hallows

Eve and eventually Halloween.

Halloween is widely celebrated in Ireland, the home

of many Celts, with parties, sweet treats and dressing

up. In the 20th century many Irish families emigrated

to America taking with them the Halloween traditions.

(continued on page 9)

absolutely sure that

what you are about

to tell me is true?”

“No,” the man said,

“Actually I’ve just

heard about it.”

“All right,” said

Socrates, “So you

don’t really know

if it’s true or not.

Now let’s try the

second filter, the

filter of Goodness.

Is what you are

about to tell me

about Diogenes

something good?”

“No, on the

contrary ...”

“So,” Socrates

continued, “You

want to tell me

something about

Diogenes that may

be bad, even

though you’re not

certain it’s true?”

The man shrugged,

a little

embarrassed.

Socrates continued,

“You may still pass

the test though,

because there is a

third filter, the

filter of Usefulness.

Is what you want to

tell me about

Diogenes going to

be useful to me?”

“No, not really.”

“Well,” concluded

Socrates, “If what

you want to tell me

Page 6

is neither True nor

Good nor even

useful, why tell it

to me or anyone at

all?”

The man was

bewildered and

ashamed.

This is an example

of why Socrates

was a great

philosopher and

held in such high

esteem.

It also explains

why Socrates

never found out

that Diogenes was

making secret

assignations with

his wife up on the

Acropolis!

One tequila, two

tequila, three

tequila, floor.

****

One nice thing

about egotists:

they don’t talk

about other

people.

War Horse

Nearly three years ago I

was passing through

London and, never loath

to miss the opportunity of

visiting the West End

theatre, decided to try my

luck across the road from

Victoria Station and

secure a returned ticket

for Wicked. The board

clearly read “Full House”

but there was always a

chance. And lucky I was!

February’s dismal blustery

weather spurred me to

take my seat early and

entering the circle I saw

one lone figure across the aisles – and of course my

seat was next to his. It turned out he was Dutch, and

whenever business took him to London for a couple of

days or so he went to the theatre every night. “If you

can see only one production, see War Horse” was his

advice.

It was out of the question at the time but, as this

acclaimed National Theatre production is still playing

to packed houses in Drury Lane, I followed up on his

recommendation this September. And what an

amazing theatrical experience it was!

The play is based on the book of the same name by

Michael Morpurgo, who was inspired to write this story

of the sufferings of war seen through the eyes of

horse by a painting of a cavalry charge during the First

World War. The First World War – a war that cost the

lives of an estimated ten million people and unknown

millions of horses. But how on earth was it possible to

bring such a story from page to stage? The answer lies

Page 15

Remembrance

1939 and George,

my father, was eager

to enlist. He soon

chummed up with

Bert. Together they

faced the hell of the

gunfire and the

trenches. One day

there was a loud

explosion. George

threw himself down

and Bert fell on top.

Shrapnel riddled

Bert’s body, some

going through into

George. His chum

was dead, but

miraculously George

was still alive.

Remembrance

Sunday at the Albert

Hall. Thousands of

petals were falling,

each one

representing a lost

life. Tears welled up

as George remem-

bered his chum. He

knew that but for

Bert he would have

been one of those

petals.

By Megan Carter

people, ecumenically, not nationally. He ended

with the question: how does this work in your

church? And he advised, don’t make assumptions

and just be there to accompany people spiritually3.

The next session was a report from the Mission

Working Party (MWP). This MWP was set up at the

Archdeaconry Synod in 2010 and originally had a

twofold purpose: first to embrace the changes as

proposed by the Diocese4 in funding four full-time

free-standing Archdeacons in Europe instead of

seven Archdeacons who combine their office with

chaplaincy duties (more about this in Simone’s

report about the business meeting on the

Saturday); and second to implement the

recommendations of the General Synod Report

Mission-shaped Church (2004) in the countries of

Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. This is

the third MWP Report since 2010. During the past

year four contributors have written a paper called

“Developing a vision for Anglican Ministry in

Europe”5 .Each contributor works out an aspect of

the strategy to shape and resource the Church’s

mission in every diocese and parish. Robert Innes

writes on the tension between individuals and

society in religious thinking; Jack McDonald charts

some of the ways in which the Anglican tradition

has grappled with contextualization (i.e.

adaptation to the society in which the church is

situated); Sam Van Leer describes the complicated

relation between Church and culture (especially in

Western society since the 19th century), using

several model theories; and finally Mark Collinson

relates various practical parish experiences,

mentioning especially ecumenical and diaconal

realities.

During the past year the MWP focused mainly on

two areas: theological education and the

translation of some liturgical services. A general

Page 14

Prayer for Syria

Gracious God

We pray for all

those who suffer

from violence;

May they know your

healing and peace.

We pray for those

who have died and

those who are

bereaved;

May they be com-

forted and sustained

by your love.

We pray for political

leaders in Britain

and across the

world;

May they seek

wisdom and work

together for peace.

May your kingdom

come, your will be

done

And the earth be

filled with your

glory.

The Revd Ruth Gee

the candidates. Finally our Bishop, the Bishop of

Gibraltar in Europe, will be appointed by the

Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London, and

a third Bishop nominated by the Standing Committee

of the Anglican Consultative Council, the Archbishop

of Lokoja in Nigeria. The entire procedure will at least

take nine months1.

The next session was about the safeguarding of

children and vulnerable adults. The Revd Chris Lyon

(Luxembourg), who was to report on this subject

could not be present however, so a short explanation

of the current state of affairs with regard to this issue

was given by the Revd Canon Robert Innes

(Brussels).

We ended the day with the Eucharist, celebrated by

Acting Archdeacon Canon Meurig Williams.

On Friday we started again with the Eucharist,

celebrated this time by the Revd Canon Mark

Collinson.

The morning presentation was given by the Revd Dr

Keith Clements from Bristol. He spoke in a very

inspiring way on The Church and Europe2. He started

most unusually by comparing religion in Europe with

an empty chocolate box. We keep it because it is

beautiful, but there is nothing inside. He mentioned

migration and secularization as great influences on

the “inherited church” in Europe. He discerned

“believing” and “belonging”. People in the inherited

church may feel they belong, but really do not

believe any more, and just cherish beautiful churches

and music. There are also many people these days

who believe in God but do not belong to a church. Dr

Clements quoted Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who said that

both types are necessary and need each other. A

new type of Christianity is emerging: in Europe

people are learning how to be the church for all the

Page 7

Friendship

Sometimes …

you feel on the edge

of abyss

Or caught in a trap

Totally depressed

But what can you

do?

Shed tears of

despair?

Rage at the world?

Drown your

sorrows?

But even if you feel

Sad

Alone

Guilty

Anxious

Just stop and think!

There is someone

who will never

forget you, who

will stay at your side

even when everyone

else leaves you

in the incredible sound, lighting, artwork and

stagecraft, all heightening the movement and

theatrical imagery, and of course in the

magnificent creations that were the full-scale

horses Joey and Topthorn. These horses each

came to life through the three puppeteers handling

the head, heart and hind. Such was their mastery

that, after the initial thrill and wonder, the power

of the grim story took over and there was many a

misty eye in the house. It is often said that actors

should beware of performing alongside children or

animals, but in this case the actors were more

than equal to this tremendous challenge.

As the war began to bite ever deeper, horses were

even shipped over to Europe from Canada,

America and Australia to cope with increasing

needs in the fields of transport, agriculture and …

war. Few horses returned home at the end of

hostilities in 1918 and the reward of many for their

service was slaughter for the table. Max Hastings,

writing of these “Forgotten Heroes” in the theatre

programme, ends his article with a paragraph on

the work of Brooke Hospital. The programme also

carries an advertisement for this organization:

“We work with some of the world’s poorest

communities offering veterinary treatment

and animal welfare training. Our practical

approach improves both the welfare of

working equine animals and secures the

livelihoods of people relying on them to

earn a living.”

And of course Brooke Hospital is one of the three

charities supported by you at St Mary’s!

Janice Collins

Page 8

… WE, the income

tax inspectors, will

always be there for

you!

Maths and Logic

WOMAN: Do you

drink beer?

MAN: Yes

WOMAN: How

many beers a day?

MAN: Usually

about three.

WOMAN: How

much do you pay

per beer?

MAN: $5.00 which

includes a tip.

WOMAN: And how

long have you been

drinking?

MAN: About 20

years, I suppose.

WOMAN: So a beer

costs $5 and you

have three beers a

day which puts

your spending each

month at $450. In

one year, it would

be approximately

$5400 … correct?

MAN: Correct.

St James the Least of All

On Using Glebe Land for Allotments

My dear Nephew Darren

I hear you have joined the committee

which wants to convert the waste land

between the abandoned soap factory and canal in

your parish into allotments –

although I would have thought there were holier sorts

of conversions you could have concentrated on. I am

sure you will soon be caught up in arguments which

make that little disagreement over an apple in the

Garden seem quite trivial.

Some years ago, we similarly decided to let part of

our Glebe land become allotments; the outcome was

not wholly as may have been anticipated. Colonel

Wainwright saw it as an opportunity for re-living his

War years and was only just restrained from digging

trenches around his plot; no doubt he would have

offered to play football with neighbouring allotment

holders on Christmas Day.

It caused some surprise when the Earl of Stowe

applied for a plot, but it has become something of an

attraction to see his daily procession: preceded by his

gardener pushing the wheelbarrow, the under-

gardener carrying the tools and, following him, his

butler with the newspaper, a deckchair and a flask of

coffee. He then settles down for a comfortable hour,

while occasionally supervising the work once reports

on the local hunt have been read.

Miss Simpson managed to unite

everyone in communal outrage by

using her plot to encourage fluffy

bunnies, darling foxes and sweet

squirrels. She seemed to be

particularly grateful to everyone else

for providing fruit and vegetables for

their happiness. Resolution was only

Page 13

On Thursday afternoon Acting Archdeacon the Revd

Canon Meurig Williams in the chair opened Synod and

invited a number of Chaplains to come forward to

share their news informally and truthfully. Quite a

novum at Synod! Among Chaplains from Brussels,

Tervuren, the Hague, Ypres and Rotterdam, our

Chaplain Alja Tollefsen shared good news, but also

concerns. In many chaplaincies there is spiritual

growth; new Alpha courses are set up; at the

universities of Leuven and Brussels courses (in

Anglican history, texts, doctrine, sacraments,

spirituality, ethics, mission and in Anglican religious

education) have been started; and even a Church of

England primary school, St Paul’s, has been founded

in Brussels! The Chaplain in Rotterdam reported a

wealth of volunteers in the Missions to Seamen.

Concerns shared were of a varying nature, such as

shortage of staff, financial tightness, dwindling

numbers and congregations in which certain people

felt hurt. Alja told the audience she had only been in

office for 17 months and that there are many things

to be thankful for − a happy congregation and

positive outlook in Twente − but that there is less

hopeful news from Arnhem-Nijmegen. She asked

Synod to pray for improvement in the situation.

In the evening Canon Dr Jack McDonald from Leuven

(also professor at the universities of Leuven and

Brussels) and lay reader David Fieldsend from

Brussels informed the audience about the impending

procedure to elect a new Bishop, as Bishop Geoffrey

will retire in November. It is a complicated procedure

whereby first the needs of the Diocese are

determined and the gifts and qualities are identified

which the next Bishop is likely to need. The Vacancy-

in–See Committee, which consists of the Standing

Committee of the Diocesan Synod, together with the

diocesan members of the General Synod, plays an

important role in the preparation of the selection of

when you've had

a disagreement.

She will never

have a headache

and will freely

give you love and

passion whenever

you need it. ”

Adam asked God,

“What will a

woman like this

cost? ”

God replied, “An

arm and a leg."

Then Adam

asked, “What can

I get for a rib? ”

The rest is

history.

Contributed by

Erica Schotman-

Bonting

I went to a

bookstore and

asked the

saleswoman

where the self-

help section was.

But she said if she

told me it would

defeat the object.

Page 12

Lost Chapter in

Genesis

Adam was hanging

around the garden

of Eden feeling very

lonely. So God

asked him, “What's

wrong with you? ”

Adam said he didn't

have anyone to talk

to. God said that He

was going to make

Adam a companion

and that it would be

a woman.

He said,

“This person will

gather food for you,

cook for you, and

when you discover

clothing, she will

wash it for you. She

will always agree

with every decision

you make. She will

bear your children

and never ask you

to get up in the

middle of the night

to take care of them.

She will not nag

you and will always

be the first to admit

she was wrong

Archdeaconry Report

(Synod: Thursday 10th to

Saturday 12th October 2013)

At the beginning of this report it

may be useful to repeat the

purpose and values of the North

West Europe Archdeaconry Synod (Benelux countries)

as written in 2005, when it was established that “the

Archdeaconry Synod has the following legal purpose:

to conduct the legal requirements of electing clerical

and lay representatives to Diocesan and General

Synods and to conduct the business of our corporate

archidiaconal life and mission.” And: “In addition to

these we seek to: engage with the major issues

facing the Church of England; be inspired, equipped

and encouraged to further the mission of the church

in our local setting and maintain an ecumenical

dimension.” Finally: “We aim to achieve these

purposes by having a Synod once a year in which we:

enjoy fellowship with one another, worship together,

have stimulating input, engage in discussion with one

another, produce an output (i.e. do something

together in the Synod itself or which we can take

home to our chaplaincies), use the arts as a means of

expressing who we are and what we believe and

celebrate our corporate life and what God is doing

among us.”

Well, we tried to do most of these things in the

beautifully restored monastery De Oude Abdij van

Drongen, near Ghent in Belgium. Simone Yallop,

Secretary of our church council, replaced Caroline

Siertsema, who had to go to South Africa to attend to

her mother. During Synod many subjects were dealt

with in five sessions and we attended three Eucharist

services and one Evening Prayer. I’ll try to give you

the most relevant news in chronological order.

Page 9

WOMAN: If in one

year you spend

$5400, not

accounting for

inflation, the past 20

years puts your

spending at

$108,000, correct?

MAN: Correct.

WOMAN: Do you

know that if you

didn’t drink so much

beer, that money

could have been put

in a step-up interest

savings account and,

after accounting for

compound interest

for the past 20 years,

you could have now

bought a Ferrari?

MAN: Do you drink

beer?

WOMAN: No.

MAN: Where’s your

Ferrari?

We are here on earth

to do good unto

others. What the

others are here for, I

have no idea.

− W.H. Auden

achieved when she was convinced to grow

potatoes, helping the Colonel in his War Effort.

Fortunately, he did not ask her to arrive

equipped with the regulation gas mask.

Our local architect seems to spend most of his

time beautifying his garden shed, rather than

growing produce. With its gothic arched

windows, Norman tower and flying buttresses, I

do wonder if he may have spent rather too much

of his time renovating ancient churches.

Neighbouring plot-holders look forward to the

agricultural equivalent of the Dissolution of the

Monasteries!

I am sure you will find you have committed

yourself to many hours of unnecessary work.

Just make sure you garner a percentage of their

produce for your Harvest Festival.

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

© The Revd Dr Gary Bowness

(continued from page 5)

Gradually these Halloween celebrations became

part of the American way of life. Making a Jack-o

-Lantern is one tradition which many of you will

know. The idea of hollowing out pumpkins,

potatoes, swedes, beetroots or turnips and

cutting a face in the side so that the light inside

shows through to frighten away evil spirits is

taken from a very old Irish myth.

Maybe you would like to celebrate Halloween by

baking a sticky ginger cake or parkin and giving

away some sweets to children that live near you,

or by making a Jack-o-Lantern. Whatever, enjoy

yourselves!

Brenda Pyle

Page 10

10th November

Remembrance

Sunday

10:30 am

Sung Eucharist

Celebrant & Preacher Revd Alja Tollefsen

Duty Warden Everhard Ottens

Intercessor Simone Yallop

Chalice Count Alfred Solms

Pauline Talstra

Els Ottens (1) Jonah 3: 1-5, 10

Philippa te West (2) Hebrews 9: 24 to end

Gospel Mark 1: 14-20

For

thco

min

g S

erv

ices

For

thco

min

g S

erv

ices

For

thco

min

g S

erv

ices

17th November

Second Sunday

before Advent

10:30 am

Sung Eucharist

Celebrant & Preacher Revd Alja Tollefsen

Duty Warden Joyce Wigboldus

Intercessor Pauline Talstra

Chalice Everhard Ottens

Pauline Talstra

Janice Collins (1) Malachi 4: 1-2a

Linda ten Berge (2) 2 Thessalonians 3: 6-13

Gospel Luke 21: 5-19

24th November

Christ the King

10:30 am

Sung Eucharist

Celebrant & Preacher Revd Alja Tollefsen

Duty Warden Everhard Ottens

Intercessor Janice Collins

Chalice Janice Collins

Joyce Wigboldus

Louw Talstra (1) Jeremiah 23: 1-6

Victor Pirenne (2) Colossians 1: 11-20

Gospel Luke 23: 33-43

Page 11

1st December

Advent 1

10:30 am

Sung Eucharist

Celebrant & Preacher Revd Alja Tollefsen

Duty Warden Joyce Wigboldus

Intercessor Pauline Talstra

Chalice Janice Collins

Caroline Siertsema

Vivian Reinders Isaiah 2: 1-5

Joyce Wigboldus Romans 13: 11 to end

Gospel Matthew 24: 36-44

Forth

comin

g Serv

ices

Forth

comin

g Serv

ices

Forth

comin

g Serv

ices

8th December

Advent 2

10:30 am

Sung Eucharist

Celebrant & Preacher Revd Alja Tollefsen

Duty Warden Everhard Ottens

Intercessor Simone Yallop

Chalice Everhard Ottens

Count Alfred Solms

Pauline Talstra (1) Isaiah 11: 1-10

Els Ottens (2) Romans 15: 4-13

Gospel Matthew 3: 1-12

15th December

Advent 3

10:30 am

Carol Service

Celebrant & Preacher Revd Alja Tollefsen

Duty Warden Joyce Wigboldus

Intercessor Caroline Siertsema

Readers to be

arranged